Tennessee House of Representatives | |
---|---|
Tennessee General Assembly | |
![]() | |
Type | |
Type | |
Term limits | None |
History | |
New session started | January 10, 2023 |
Leadership | |
Speaker pro tempore | |
Majority Leader | |
Minority Leader | |
Structure | |
Seats | 99 |
![]() | |
Political groups | Majority
Minority
|
Length of term | 2 years |
Authority | Article III, Tennessee Constitution |
Salary | $24,316/year + per diem, employee benefits, travel reimbursement [1] |
Elections | |
Last election | November 8, 2022 |
Next election | November 5, 2024 |
Redistricting | Legislative Control |
Meeting place | |
![]() | |
House of Representatives Chamber Tennessee State Capitol Nashville, Tennessee | |
Website | |
Tennessee House of Representatives |
The Tennessee House of Representatives is the lower house of the Tennessee General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Tennessee.
According to the state constitution of 1870, this body is to consist of 99 members elected for two-year terms. In every even-numbered year, elections for state representative are conducted simultaneously with the elections for U.S. Representative and other offices; the primary election being held on the first Thursday in August. Seats which become vacant, such as through death, resignation, or expulsion, are filled either: by the county commission (or metropolitan county council) of the home county of the member vacating the seat if less than a year remains in the seat's term; if more than a year remains in the term, a special election is held for the balance of the term. [2] [3]
Members are elected from single-member districts. The districts are traditionally numbered consecutively from east to west and north to south across the state; however, in recent redistricting this convention has not always been strictly adhered to, despite a constitutional provision requiring districts to be numbered consecutively.
Districts are required to be reapportioned every ten years following the federal census in order to be of substantially equal population. However, from 1902 until 1962, the General Assembly ignored this provision. It was estimated that by that point that some districts in the Memphis area had approximately ten times the population of some in rural areas. In 1962 this issue was taken to court. Despite U.S. courts having traditionally declined to rule on such issues, the U.S. Supreme Court opted to hear this case and ruled that the legislature had to comply with the state constitution, as its failure to do so was in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (see Baker v. Carr ). Subsequent litigation has further refined the rules regarding this; in the late 1990s a majority-black district in rural West Tennessee was required to be created.
The 1960s redistricting was credited by some observers with creating the first Republican majority in the Tennessee House since Reconstruction in 1968; this situation lasted only until the next election in 1970. 1970 also marked the first election of a Republican governor in a half century and saw both houses of the legislature begin to assert themselves as a counterbalance to executive authority; prior to this time legislators had not had their own staffs or even their own offices and were largely at the mercy of what the governor's staff chose to tell them and in many ways were often something of a "rubber stamp."
The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the House. The Speaker is elected to a two-year term at the beginning of the 1st half of each session of the Tennessee General Assembly. Additionally, the Speaker is second in line for succession to the governorship, after the Speaker of the Senate, in the event of such need. The Speaker appoints members to all committees as well. Even though the Speaker does not have to make committee assignments proportional to the party composition, usually that discretion is used when determining such. Usually, consideration of the abilities, preferences, party representation, and seniority of the members are taken into account. The chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary of each committee also are chosen by the Speaker and must be given the same considerations in their selection. The Speaker is a voting member of all standing committees of the House, as is the Speaker pro Tempore. The Speaker also serves as co-chairperson of the Joint Legislative Services Committee and must approve, in concurrence with the Speaker of the Senate, the directors of the offices of Legislative Information Services, Legal Services, Legislative Administration, and Legislative Budget Analysis. Additionally, the Speaker is in charge of all facilities, professional and clerical staff, and custodians and security personnel of the House. [4] The current speaker is Cameron Sexton, who represents Tennessee's 25th district. [5]
Affiliation | Party (shading indicates majority caucus) | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Democratic | Vacant | ||
Beginning of 113th General Assembly | 75 | 24 | 99 | 0 |
April 6, 2023 [6] | 75 | 22 | 97 | 2 |
April 10, 2023 [7] | 75 | 23 | 98 | 1 |
April 12, 2023 [8] | 75 | 24 | 99 | 0 |
April 20, 2023 [9] | 74 | 24 | 98 | 1 |
May 11, 2023 [10] | 75 | 24 | 99 | 0 |
June 4, 2023 [11] | 74 | 23 | 98 | 1 |
June 20, 2023 [12] | 75 | 24 | 99 | 0 |
Latest voting share | 75.76% | 24.24% |
Majority party (R) | Leadership position | Minority party (D) |
William Lamberth | Leader | Karen Camper |
Mark Cochran | Assistant Leader | Harold M. Love Jr. |
Jeremy Faison | Caucus Chairperson | Vincent Dixie |
Brandon Ogles | Caucus Vice Chairperson | Bob Freeman |
Johnny Garrett | Whip | Jason Powell |
Paul Sherrell | Floor Leader | Bill Beck |
Michele Carringer | Caucus Secretary | London Lamar |
Rebecca Alexander | Caucus Treasurer | Jesse Chism |
District | Name | Party | First elected | Residence | Counties represented |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Crawford | Republican | 2016 | Kingsport | Part of Sullivan |
2 | Bud Hulsey | Republican | 2014 | Kingsport | Part of Sullivan |
3 | Timothy Hill | Republican | 2023 | Blountville | Johnson and parts of Carter, Hawkins, and Sullivan |
4 | John Holsclaw Jr. | Republican | 2014 | Johnson City | Unicoi and part of Carter |
5 | David B. Hawk | Republican | 2002 | Greeneville | Greene |
6 | Tim Hicks | Republican | 2020 | Jonesborough | Part of Washington |
7 | Rebecca Alexander | Republican | 2020 | Jonesborough | Part of Washington |
8 | Jerome Moon | Republican | 2017 | Maryville | Part of Blount |
9 | Gary Hicks | Republican | 2016 | Rogersville | Hancock and parts of Claiborne and Hawkins |
10 | Rick Eldridge | Republican | 2018 | Morristown | Grainger and part Hamblen |
11 | Jeremy Faison | Republican | 2010 | Cosby | Cocke, and parts of Jefferson and Hamblen |
12 | Dale Carr | Republican | 2012 | Sevierville | Part of Sevier |
13 | Robert Stevens | Republican | 2022 | Smyrna | Part of Rutherford |
14 | Jason Zachary | Republican | 2015 | Knoxville | Part of Knox |
15 | Sam McKenzie | Democratic | 2020 | Knoxville | Part of Knox |
16 | Michele Carringer | Republican | 2020 | Knoxville | Part of Knox |
17 | Andrew Farmer | Republican | 2012 | Sevierville | Parts of Jefferson and Sevier |
18 | Elaine Davis | Republican | 2022 | Knoxville | Part of Knox |
19 | Dave Wright | Republican | 2018 | Corryton | Part of Knox |
20 | Bryan Richey | Republican | 2022 | Maryville | Part of Blount |
21 | Lowell Russell | Republican | 2018 | Vonore | Parts of Loudon and Monroe |
22 | Dan Howell | Republican | 2014 | Cleveland | Meigs, Polk and part of Bradley |
23 | Mark Cochran | Republican | 2018 | Englewood | McMinn and part of Monroe |
24 | Kevin Raper | Republican | 2022 | Cleveland | Part of Bradley |
25 | Cameron Sexton | Republican | 2010 | Crossville | Cumberland and part of Putnam |
26 | Greg Martin | Republican | 2022 | Hixson | Part of Hamilton |
27 | Patsy Hazlewood | Republican | 2014 | Signal Mountain | Part of Hamilton |
28 | Yusuf Hakeem | Democratic | 2018 | Chattanooga | Part of Hamilton |
29 | Greg Vital | Republican | 2021 | Harrison | Part of Hamilton |
30 | Esther Helton | Republican | 2018 | East Ridge | Part of Hamilton |
31 | Ron Travis | Republican | 2012 | Dayton | Bledsoe, Sequatchie, Rhea and Van Buren |
32 | Monty Fritts | Republican | 2012 | Kingston | Parts of Roane and part of Loudon |
33 | John Ragan | Republican | 2010 | Oak Ridge | Part of Anderson |
34 | Tim Rudd | Republican | 2016 | Murfreesboro | Part of Rutherford |
35 | William Slater | Republican | 2022 | Gallatin | Trousdale and part of Sumner |
36 | Dennis Powers | Republican | 2010 | Jacksboro | Campbell, Union and part of Claiborne |
37 | Charlie Baum | Republican | 2018 | Murfreesboro | Part of Rutherford |
38 | Kelly Keisling | Republican | 2010 | Byrdstown | Macon, Clay, Pickett, Scott, and part of Fentress |
39 | Iris Rudder | Republican | 2018 | Winchester | Franklin and Marion |
40 | Michael Hale | Republican | 2022 | Smithville | Cannon, DeKalb, Jackson, Smith, and part of Wilson |
41 | Ed Butler | Republican | 2022 | Cookeville | Overton, Morgan and parts of Anderson, Fentress, and Roane |
42 | Ryan Williams | Republican | 2010 | Cookeville | Part of Putnam |
43 | Paul Sherrell | Republican | 2016 | Sparta | Warren and White |
44 | William Lamberth | Republican | 2012 | Portland | Part of Sumner |
45 | Johnny Garrett | Republican | 2018 | Goodlettsville | Part of Sumner |
46 | Clark Boyd | Republican | 2018 | Lebanon | Part of Wilson |
47 | Rush Bricken | Republican | 2018 | Tullahoma | Coffee and Grundy |
48 | Bryan Terry | Republican | 2018 | Murfreesboro | Part of Rutherford |
49 | Mike Sparks | Republican | 2010 | Smyrna | Part of Rutherford |
50 | Bo Mitchell | Democratic | 2012 | Nashville | Part of Davidson |
51 | Aftyn Behn | Democratic | 2023 | Nashville | Part of Davidson |
52 | Justin Jones | Democratic | 2023 | Nashville | Part of Davidson |
53 | Jason Powell | Democratic | 2012 | Nashville | Part of Davidson |
54 | Vincent Dixie | Democratic | 2018 | Nashville | Part of Davidson |
55 | John Ray Clemmons | Democratic | 2014 | Nashville | Part of Davidson |
56 | Bob Freeman | Democratic | 2018 | Nashville | Part of Davidson |
57 | Susan Lynn | Republican | 2013 | Mt. Juliet | Part of Wilson |
58 | Harold M. Love Jr. | Democratic | 2012 | Nashville | Part of Davidson |
59 | Caleb Hemmer | Democratic | 2022 | Nashville | Part of Davidson |
60 | Darren Jernigan | Democratic | 2012 | Old Hickory | Part of Davidson |
61 | Gino Bulso | Republican | 2022 | Brentwood | Part of Williamson |
62 | Pat Marsh | Republican | 2009 | Shelbyville | Bedford, Moore, and part of Lincoln |
63 | Jake McCalmon | Republican | 2022 | Franklin | Part of Williamson |
64 | Scott Cepicky | Republican | 2018 | Culleoka | Part of Maury |
65 | Sam Whitson | Republican | 2016 | Franklin | Part of Williamson |
66 | Sabi "Doc" Kumar | Republican | 2014 | Springfield | Robertson |
67 | Ronnie Glynn | Democratic | 2022 | Clarksville | Part of Montgomery |
68 | Curtis Johnson | Republican | 2004 | Clarksville | Part of Montgomery |
69 | Jody Barrett | Republican | 2022 | Dickson | Hickman, Lewis and part of Dickson |
70 | Clay Doggett | Republican | 2018 | Pulaski | Giles and parts of Lawrence and Lincoln |
71 | Kip Capley | Republican | 2022 | Summertown | Wayne and parts of Hardin, Lawrence, and Maury |
72 | Kirk Haston | Republican | 2018 | Lobelville | Henderson, Chester, Decatur, Perry, and part of Hardin |
73 | Chris Todd | Republican | 2018 | Humboldt | Part of Madison |
74 | Jay Reedy | Republican | 2014 | Erin | Benton, Houston, Humphreys, Stewart, and part of Henry |
75 | Jeff Burkart | Republican | 2022 | Clarksville | Part of Montgomery |
76 | Tandy Darby | Republican | 2020 | Greenfield | Weakley and parts of Henry and Carroll |
77 | Rusty Grills | Republican | 2020 | Newbern | Dyer, Lake and part of Obion |
78 | Mary Littleton | Republican | 2012 | Dickson | Cheatham and part of Dickson |
79 | Brock Martin | Republican | 2022 | Huntingdon | Parts of Carroll, Gibson and Henderson |
80 | Johnny Shaw | Democratic | 2000 | Bolivar | Parts of Hardeman, Haywood and Madison |
81 | Debra Moody | Republican | 2012 | Covington | Tipton and part of Haywood |
82 | Chris Hurt | Republican | 2018 | Halls | Crockett, Lauderdale and parts of Gibson and Obion |
83 | Mark White | Republican | 2010 | Memphis | Part of Shelby |
84 | Joe Towns | Democratic | 1994 | Memphis | Part of Shelby |
85 | Jesse Chism | Democratic | 2018 | Memphis | Part of Shelby |
86 | Justin J. Pearson | Democratic | 2023 | Memphis | Part of Shelby |
87 | Karen Camper | Democratic | 2008 | Memphis | Part of Shelby |
88 | Larry Miller | Democratic | 1992 | Memphis | Part of Shelby |
89 | Justin Lafferty | Republican | 2018 | Knoxville | Part of Knox |
90 | Gloria Johnson | Democratic | 2012 | Knoxville | Part of Knox |
91 | Torrey Harris | Democratic | 2020 | Memphis | Part of Shelby |
92 | Todd Warner | Republican | 2020 | Lewisburg | Marshall and part of Williamson |
93 | G. A. Hardaway | Democratic | 2006 | Memphis | Part of Shelby |
94 | Ron Gant | Republican | 2016 | Rossville | Fayette, McNairy and part of Hardeman |
95 | Kevin Vaughan | Republican | 2017 | Collierville | Part of Shelby |
96 | Dwayne Thompson | Democratic | 2016 | Cordova | Part of Shelby |
97 | John Gillespie | Republican | 2020 | Memphis | Part of Shelby |
98 | Antonio Parkinson | Democratic | 2011 | Memphis | Part of Shelby |
99 | Tom Leatherwood | Republican | 2018 | Arlington | Part of Shelby |
Committees, subcommittees, and their leadership for the 112th General Assembly are as follows: [14]
Committees | Chair | Vice Chair | Subcommittees |
---|---|---|---|
Agriculture and Natural Resources | Rep. Curtis Halford (R) | Rep. Rusty Grills (R) | Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chair: Rep. Chris Todd (R) |
Calendar and Rules | Rep. Jason Zachary (R) | Rep. Lowell Russell (R) | |
Civil Justice | Rep. Andrew Farmer (R) | Rep. Darren Jernigan (D) | Civil Justice, Chair: Rep. Andrew Farmer (R) Children and Family Affairs, Chair: Rep. Mary Littleton (R) |
Commerce | Rep. Kevin Vaughn (R) | Rep. Rush Bricken (R) | Banking and Consumer Affairs, Chair: Rep. Dennis Powers (R) Business and Utilities, Chair: Rep. Clark Boyd (R) |
Criminal Justice | Vacant | Rep. Jerry Sexton (R) | Criminal Justice, Chair: Rep. Clay Doggett (R) |
Education Administration | Rep. Mark White (R) | Rep. Chris Hurt (R) | K-12, Chair: Rep. Kirk Haston (R) Higher Education, Chair: Rep. Justin Lafferty (R) |
Education Instruction | Rep. Debra Moody (R) | Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver (R) | Education Instruction, Chair: Rep. Scott Cepicky (R) |
Finance, Ways, and Means | Rep. Patsy Hazelwood (R) | Rep. Charlie Baum (R) | Finance, Ways, and Means, Chair: Rep. Gary. Hicks (R) Appropriations , Chair: Rep. Ryan Williams (R) |
Government Operations | Rep. John Ragan (R) | Rep. Jay Reedy (R) | |
Health | Rep. Bryan Terry (R) | Rep. Tom Leatherwood (R) | Health, Chair: Rep. Bob Ramsey (R) |
Insurance | Rep. Sabi Kumar (R) | Rep. Iris Rudder (R) | Insurance, Chair: Rep. David Hawk (R) |
Local | Rep. John Crawford (R) | Rep. Dave Wright (R) | Cities, Chair: Rep. Jerome Moon (R) Elections and Campaign Finance, Chair: Rep. Tim Rudd (R) Property and Planning, Chair: Rep. Dale Carr (R) |
Naming and Designating | Rep. John Mark Windle (D) | Rep. David Byrd (R) | |
State | Rep. Kelly Keisling (R) | Rep. Rick Eldridge (R) | Corrections, Chair: Rep. Bud Hulsey (R) Departments and Agencies, Chair: Rep. John Holsclaw (R) Public Service, Chair: Rep. Esther Helton (R) |
Transportation | Rep. Dan Howell (R) | Rep. Mark Hall (R) | Transportation, Chair: Rep. Sam Whitson (R) |
Committees | Chair | Subcommittees |
---|---|---|
Rules | Rep. Pat Marsh (R) | |
Ethics | Rep. Curtis Johnson (R) | Ethics, Chair: Rep. Pat Marsh (R) |
The Tennessee House of Representatives requires a two-thirds majority of the total membership to expel another representative. [15] Since the Civil War, ten representatives have been expelled. [16] Six representatives were expelled in 1866 for attempting to prevent passage of the 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship to former slaves. [17] In 1980, Republican representative Robert Fisher was expelled for bribery. [18] Republican representative Jeremy Durham was expelled in 2016 for sexual misconduct. [19] Representatives Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson were expelled in 2023 for violating decorum rules by leading a gun control protest on the House floor during a legislative session. [20] Both Jones and Pearson were later reinstated. [21] Representative Gloria Johnson also participated in the demonstration, but avoided expulsion by one vote. [22]
Among Republicans, around 30% of all members hold no degree beyond high school completion, less than 20% hold a Master's or other post baccalaureate degree, and less than 10% have a law degree. Among Democrats, of whom there are a substantially lower number, 15% hold no degree beyond high school, around 30% hold a Master's or other post baccalaureate degree, and 25% have a law degree. [23]
November 2020 saw the election of first openly LGBT people ever to hold seats in Tennessee's state house of representatives, [24] Democrat Torrey Harris and Republican Eddie Mannis. [25] Before November 3, 2020, Tennessee was one of just five states in the nation (others being Alaska, Delaware, Louisiana and Mississippi) to have never elected an out LGBT person to its state legislature. [26] Eddie Mannis did not seek reelection after a single term, citing bullying by the Republican caucus. [27]
Of its 99 members, [28] twenty-one were women [29] in 2020. Representatives Harold Love [30] and Raumesh Akbari hold leadership roles in the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, [31] in which eight Tennessee state lawmakers are members. Akbari is also a State Director with Women in Government, as is Brenda Gilmore. [32]
Richard Glen Casada Jr. is an American politician, and a disgraced former Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, where he represented District 63 from 2003 to 2023. He was the Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives from January 8, 2019 through August 2, 2019, whereupon he resigned his post amid scandal. This was the shortest stint of a Tennessee Speaker of the House in modern history. Casada was previously the Majority Leader of the Tennessee House of Representatives. His opposition to Syrian refugees attracted national attention in the media in 2015.
John D. Ragan Jr. is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, for the 33rd District, encompassing parts of Anderson County, Tennessee.
Scotty Campbell is an American politician and professional wrestling promoter. He was a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 3rd district, encompassing Mountain City, Johnson County, and parts of Sullivan County.
Cameron A. Sexton is an American politician from Tennessee. A Republican, he has been a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 25th District since 2011, and has been the Speaker of the state House since 2019. Before becoming Speaker, Sexton was Majority Caucus Chairman.
William Gary Lamberth is an American politician. He serves as a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the forty-fourth district, encompassing parts of Sumner County, Tennessee.
Jeremy Ryan Durham is an American former politician and attorney. From January 2013 to September 2016 he served as the Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 65th District, encompassing parts of Williamson County, Tennessee. On July 13, 2016 a special committee of the Tennessee House of Representatives released a report that found Durham had had inappropriate "sexual interactions" with 22 women. On September 13, 2016, Durham was expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives on a 70–2 vote.
Susan M. Lynn is an American politician and a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 57 since January 8, 2013. Lynn served from January 2003 until November 2010. In 2012 Lynn was re-elected to the Tennessee House.
Mary Littleton is an American politician and a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 78 since January 8, 2013.
Gloria Johnson is an American politician and Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives currently representing District 90, and formerly District 13, based in Knoxville. In April 2023, she and two other state representatives faced expulsion votes from the Tennessee General Assembly after taking to the floor of the State House unrecognized to protest gun violence. Johnson was the only one of the three legislators not to be expelled. Johnson is currently seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the 2024 United States Senate election in Tennessee currently held by incumbent Republican Marsha Blackburn.
Andrew Ellis Farmer is an American politician and a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 17 since January 8, 2013.
Ryan Williams is an American politician and a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 42 since January 2011. In 2016, he was elected by his colleagues to serve as the Republican Caucus Chairman.
John B. Holsclaw Jr. is an American politician who serves as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Holsclaw is a member of the Republican Party and represents District 4, which includes Unicoi County and parts of Carter County.
Scott Cepicky is an American politician and former athlete who serves in the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing the 64th district. Cepicky is a member of the Republican Party.
Clark Boyd is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 46 since January 2018.
Johnny C. Garrett is an American attorney and politician from the state of Tennessee. A member of the Republican Party, Garrett has represented the 45th district of the Tennessee House of Representatives, based in the northern suburbs of Nashville, since 2019.
Jay Reedy is an American politician, farmer, and locksmith from the state of Tennessee. A Republican, Reedy has represented the 74th district of the Tennessee House of Representatives, covering Houston, Humphreys, and Montgomery Counties, since 2015.
Ron M. Gant is an American insurance agent and politician from the state of Tennessee. A Republican, Gant has represented the 94th district of the Tennessee House of Representatives, based in Fayette and McNairy Counties, since 2017.
Justin Shea Bautista-Jones is an American activist and politician from the state of Tennessee. He is a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 52, representing parts of Nashville. As of 2023, Jones is the second youngest member of the State House. He was expelled in April 2023 for violating decorum rules by participating in a gun control protest on the House floor. The Nashville Metro Council voted unanimously to reinstate Jones to serve as an interim representative pending a special election to fill the seat.
Justin Jamal Pearson is an American activist and politician. He is a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing the 86th district, covering parts of the city of Memphis. He was elected in a January 2023 special election to succeed Barbara Cooper, who was posthumously re-elected in the November 2022 Tennessee House of Representatives election after dying in October 2022. When he was sworn into office at the age of 28, Pearson became the third youngest lawmaker serving in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
On April 6, 2023, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted on resolutions to expel Democratic Representatives Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, and Justin J. Pearson for violating the chamber's decorum rules by leading personal protests for gun reform on the House floor and joining demonstrators in the chamber's public galleries during a legislative session three days after the 2023 Covenant School shooting. Resolutions for the expulsions of Jones and Pearson passed with a two-thirds majority, and they were removed from office. The resolution against Johnson failed to pass by one vote.